The introduction of SB2782 represents a significant modification to the provisions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It permits the Secretary of Health and Human Services to request access to CAFOs for microbial testing, which could lead to quicker identification and resolution of health risks related to food safety. Moreover, by coordinating data collection with relevant state and federal public health agencies, the bill is expected to foster a collaborative effort in ensuring food safety across various levels of government. This coordinated approach may enhance overall public health responses in the case of foodborne disease outbreaks.
Summary
SB2782, also known as the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2023, aims to enhance the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority in conducting microbial sampling at concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). This bill arises in light of concerns regarding foodborne illnesses and seeks to streamline the FDA's capacity to investigate outbreaks by allowing the agency easier access to sample various elements in CAFOs, including animals, plants, water, and the surrounding environment. Such measures are deemed necessary to ascertain the root causes of foodborne illnesses and to address other related public health concerns effectively.
Contention
However, the bill has generated debate regarding the balance between public health needs and the rights of CAFO operators. Some stakeholders might express concerns about potential overreach by federal authorities, particularly regarding the definition of 'reasonable access' and the conditions under which sampling occurs. It raises questions about the operational impact on CAFOs, especially if access requests are perceived to disrupt their daily activities. Balancing the need for thorough investigation and ongoing operations at these feeding operations will be a pertinent topic as discussions around the bill continue.
Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2025This bill provides that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may, under specified circumstances, request access to a concentrated animal-feeding operation (i.e., a stabled or confined animal-feeding operation of a specified size) to conduct microbial sampling.Specifically, the bill allows the FDA to request access if the FDA determines that sampling is necessary to facilitate an investigation of a foodborne-illness outbreak, determine the cause of an outbreak, or address other public health needs. Concentrated animal-feeding operations must provide reasonable access for sampling, including sampling of plants, animals, water, and the environment. The bill imposes penalties on operations that refuse to provide reasonable access. Data collected in sampling efforts under this bill must be shared with the Department of Agriculture and state and federal public health agencies to facilitate the detection, investigation, and prevention of foodborne illness.
Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2025This bill provides that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may, under specified circumstances, request access to a concentrated animal-feeding operation (i.e., a stabled or confined animal-feeding operation of a specified size) to conduct microbial sampling.Specifically, the bill allows the FDA to request access if the FDA determines that sampling is necessary to facilitate an investigation of a foodborne-illness outbreak, determine the cause of an outbreak, or address other public health needs. Concentrated animal-feeding operations must provide reasonable access for sampling, including sampling of plants, animals, water, and the environment. The bill imposes penalties on operations that refuse to provide reasonable access. Data collected in sampling efforts under this bill must be shared with the Department of Agriculture and state and federal public health agencies to facilitate the detection, investigation, and prevention of foodborne illness.